Mill Town Hires Executive Chef

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Mill Town announced the appointment of Executive Chef Jeremy Berlin, who will be responsible for overseeing culinary operations for Mill Town, as well as the reopening of Mission on Friday, May 28th and Gateways Restaurant later in June.
 
Berlin brings more than 25 years of professional culinary experience and is tasked with overseeing the kitchens, crafting menus, and hiring culinary staff to run the day-to-day operations. 
 
Prior to joining Mill Town, Berlin was the executive chef at resort Blantyre Country Estate in Lenox. Before moving to the Berkshires, Berlin held a variety of positions at culinary entities across the country, including Gordon Ramsay at The London in Los Angeles and Manhattan, Church and State Bistro, Le Bernardin, and Payard Patisserie and Bistro. 
 
Berlin earned a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute. He resides in Housatonic with his wife and two children.
 
"I am thrilled to be a part of revamping these restaurants and incorporating new ideas to excite diners," said Berlin. "I hope my passion for seasonal menus and years of culinary experience will shed a new light on these venues and add to the incredible food scene in the area."
 
Restaurant goers at Mission Bar and Tapas can expect a dining experience featuring artisanal and seasonal ingredients harkening back to the original theme of Mission’s menu when it was opened in the early 2000s.
The new menus will also reflect references to the culinary traditions of the Iberian Peninsula and other global flavors. The menu features small plates, an array of skewers and croquetas, and options from the grill.
 
"For many people, Mission is symbolic of downtown Pittsfield’s revitalization.  Over a decade ago, it was one of the first restaurants to make a bet on downtown at a time when there were more empty storefronts on North Street than occupied," said Carrie Holland, Managing Director of Mill Town. "We are so excited to work with Chef Jeremy to help reignite the next chapter of this much-loved community gathering space and can’t wait to see friends, neighbors, and visitors once again dining, drinking, laughing, and bringing great energy back into our downtown space."
 
Mission will be open for food and bar service on Thursday-Monday from 5P p.m.-close with updated operating hours and menus found on the restaurant’s website.
 
With a planned opening date in late June, Gateways Restaurant and Bar will reflect a casual approach to fine dining.  The restaurant shares space with Gateways Inn, an historic downtown inn built as a private residence in the early 1900s by Harley T. Proctor, noted founding partner of Proctor & Gamble. 
 
Gateways Restaurant and Bar will feature newly remodeled indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a completely re-designed menu reflective of Chef Jeremy’s  culinary experiences. Guests of the inn are provided a  breakfast as part of their stay, and the community is welcome to dine on the property for weekend brunches (Saturday and Sunday) and dinner service (Thursday-Monday).  
 
 For a taste of the Gateways to-go, Chef Jeremy has designed picnic meals prepared for pick-up. Diners can order online or by telephone for a meal to be enjoyed picnic style. The restaurant opening date will be posted on the Gateways Inn website and social media.
 
"We have been looking forward to reopening these restaurants and couldn’t be happier to have Chef Jeremy lead the effort," said Carrie Holland. "We are excited for everyone to enjoy the new menu direction and experience these spaces in new ways."
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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 
 
The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.
 
"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.
 
"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 
 
Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 
 
Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 
 
Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.
 
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